Rosie still sounded hesitant. “I’ll just go check on things at the ranch, then I’ll be back.”
Lorelei rested her free hand on the calf’s rump to keep him from flinching when she touched the gash. “You don’t have to ride all the way back here. We’ll be fine. I’m sure they need you at the ranch.”
“I’ll be back.” Her tone took on that rod of steel that said argument would be futile.
Normally, that would make Lorelei smile, but the weightpressed too heavily on her chest. After delivering the bucket of water, Tanner had offered to hold the calf while she cleaned the gash.
But she could see the exhaustion around Tanner’s eyes, and that wound that created that circle of blood at his shoulder must be painful. The ring of crimson hadn’t grown larger during their walk back to the fort, so she was pretty sure the bleeding had stopped.
Perhaps she should have seen to his wound first, but with Curly still dripping blood, this had seemed the more urgent need. She’d not expected Tanner to disappear into the trade room and close the door like a barrier between them. Should she check on him before helping the mule?
And was he speaking the truth when he said he’d been the one to shoot both animals? Just the thought made her belly clench into a tight knot.
She knew Tanner, and he would never intentionally injure an animal unless that was the only way to stop something far worse from happening. It sounded like Curly’s wound had been accidental. Tanner had been one man against four others. It was a wonder he’d come away alive and able to save the precious stock of rifles.
She leaned back to study her work with the calf. This injury would heal in a couple weeks with regular care. There would likely be a scar, but no lasting damage.
She pushed up to standing and glanced from the mule to the trade room door. “I’m going to check Tanner and see if he’ll come out for us to doctor him.” As if he were another animal for her and White Horse to tend. But she knew better than to go into the trade room alone in a situation that could be seen as far more intimate than usual.
Her knock on the rear door didn’t receive an answer at first. Had he fallen asleep?
She pressed her mouth near the barrier. “Tanner? Are you in there? Can you come out so I can clean and bandage your shoulder?”
“No need. It’s just a scratch. I already washed it off.” His voice sounded muffled.
Maybe hehadbeen sleeping. He’d looked tired enough to collapse. And if it was only a light scrape, washing would suffice for now. When she brought him the evening meal, she would insist on applying salve and bandage to keep it from festering. Bullet wounds could turn inflamed and feverish so easily.
“All right then. I’ll send White Horse over to help with any customers. We put the rifles in the storage room for now.”
“Give him my thanks. I can see to any who come to trade.” His voice did sound a little stronger now.
Should she take him at his word? He was a grown man, after all. She’d have to learn to trust him, even when her nurturing instincts wanted to help.
She leaned close to the door once more. “Thank you for handling things so well here, Tanner. I don’t know how you managed it. Curly and the mule will be just fine.”
Only silence answered her. Finally, after too many heartbeats passed, she turned away.
After getting some rest, Tanner would be himself again. All would be right between them, and her heart wouldn’t feel like she’d failed this man when he needed her most.
Lorelei stirred the stew with her big wooden spoon, careful to loosen any chunks that stuck to the bottom. She couldn’t let even a single dumpling scorch. This meal had to work two different miracles—to nourish Juniper and give her something she wouldwantto eat, and to break through the wall Tanner had erected around himself.
She still couldn’t quite figure out why he kept himself distant. Was it his injury? Did he not want her to know how badly he was hurt? But why not when she could help him?
She’d portioned out some of her salve and asked White Horse to give it to him, since Tanner was working so hard to avoid her. Even White Horse seemed to be intentionally acting as a barrier between them, offering to take meals to Tanner and almost standing sentry in front of the trade room door.
This reminded her a little of that night White Horse had been gone, after she and Tanner had kissed. He’d kept himself holed up in the trade room then, but it was to protect her reputation. At least that’s what he’d said. Did he think he was protecting her now? From what?
Sometimes men made no sense.
A knock sounded at the door. As she turned, voices drifted through the thin wood partition. Tanner’s deeper tones were easier to pick out, but that other voice wasn’t White Horse. The words came too quickly, a little high-pitched. Had Riley come? Her pulse leapt. Was something wrong with Juniper?
She strode to the door even as her mind registered that the voice didn’t sound like Riley’s either. She pulled the latchstring and opened just a crack. Perhaps she should have reached for her rifle just in case. But Tanner and WhiteHorse wouldn’t have let someone inside the fort walls who wasn’t safe.
The first face she saw was lined with deep grooves and had a smoky, almost-bluish tint. The familiar grin that flashed in his eyes eased the knot in her chest.
She pulled the door wide and smiled. “Ol’ Henry. Dragoon.” She couldn’t help but slide her gaze over to Tanner, who stood a little behind them. He met her look for the first time since they’d walked back to the fort yesterday. His eyes were clearer than she’d expected, though there still seemed a distance in them.
She forced her focus back on her old friends. “What brings you to the fort?” She should have better manners than to keep them standing in the doorway. The cabin behind her was so small, and they only had one barrel for a seat, but she couldn’t simply leave them standing on the stoop.
